Fastener

ABSTRACT

A fastener or adapter for attaching a molding member or the like to a panel surface having a headed button upstanding therefrom, comprising a panel engaging body having means for retaining the molding member tensioned against the panel and an inclined ramp tensioned against the underside of the button head, with a slot in the ramp accommodating the button shank and having there being a seat portion spaced laterally from the slot axis to prevent dislodgment of the fastener from the button once the molding is assembled on the fastener. An arcuately shaped edge on the slot serves to cam the button into the slot seat as the fastener is slid onto the button. One embodiment of the fastener includes a pair of spaced upwardly extending arms interconnected by a glassengaging means for resiliently retaining an automobile windshield or backlight in position with respect to the panel.

United States Patent 191 Meyer 2 f FASTENER [75] Inventor: Engelbert A.Meyer, Union Lake,

Mich.

[73] Assignee: USM Corporation, Boston, Mass.

[22] Filed: June 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 158,168

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.35,056, May 6, 1970,

Pat. No. 3,670,368.

[11] 3,740,800 [451' June 26, 1973 Primary Examiner-Donald A. GriffinAttorney-Burton and Parker [5 7] ABSTRACT body having means forretaining the molding member tensioned against the panel andan inclinedramp tensioned against the underside of the button head, with a slot inthe ramp accommodating the button shank and having there being a seatportion spaced laterally from the slot axis to prevent dislodgment ofthe fastener from the button once the molding is assembled on thefastener. An arcuately shaped edge on the slot serves to cam the buttoninto the slot seat as the fastener is slid onto the button. Oneembodiment of the fastener includes a pair of spaced upwardly extendingarms interconnected by a glass-engaging means for resiliently retainingan automobile windshield or backlight in posi tion with respect to thepanel.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAINTED- 3.740.800

' SKEEI 1 0f 3 BY M aw ATTORNEYS PAIENIED 3. 740.800

SHEET 2 0f 3 INVENTOR z/vazzazwn4mzrix AT TOR N EYS PAIE NTEU M26375INVENTOR [W612 BZKT A. Mfr/5e ATTORNEYS FASTENER CROSS REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of mycopending application Ser, No. 35,056, filed May 6, 1970 and now US.Pat. No. 3,670,368 issued June 20, 1972.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a fastenerfor connecting two structural parts, and more particularly to a clipadapter for attaching a strip of molding to a panel surface, with theadapter being retained by a headed button affixed to the panel. Thebutton may be of the general type disclosed in my prior U. S. Pat. No.3,373,539, having a shank whose end is welded or adhesively fixed to thepanel, and a head spaced from the panel and having a diameter at leasttwice the diameter of the shank. The fastener has a slot therein toreceive the button shank, the fastener surface adjacent the slot bearingagainst the underside of the button head to tension the fastener againstthe panel. The molding is engaged under a tab portion of the fastenerwhich biases the molding edge against the panel surface.

The fastener herein disclosed is specifically adapted to retain the trimmolding extending around the periphery of an automobile windshield orbacklight, wherein the glass is set within a rubber gasket engaging themarginal edge of the glass, with the molding having opposite edgeportions bearing against the gasket and the adjacent panel surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art is well exemplified by myprior US. Pat. No. 3,373,539, which discloses a clip or fastener similarto that herein disclosed and adapted to be used in substantially thesame environment. Such patent shows a clip having a U-shaped body withan inclined ramp disposed within the U with a button-receiving slot inthe ramp. The button is retained within the slot by a projecting tanghaving an edge facing the button when assembled on the clip to preventits withdrawal. To assemble the clip and button the walls of the rampmust deform to allow the button to enter the slot seat past theprojecting tang.

In conjunction with the safety standards being put into effect by theautomobile manufacturers, some autos are presently being built with whatmay be called pop-out Windshields, where the glass will be dis lodgedfrom its position upon being struck with a predetermined force from theinside of the vehicle. Such Windshields are seated within a peripheralgasket of molded rubber, rather than an adhesive such as thepolysulfides previously widely used. A trim molding surrounds the glassof the windshield and is retained in position by a series of buttons andadapters or clips, the buttons being fixed to the panel adjacent thewindshield opening and the adapters being mounted on the buttons andretainably engaging the marginal edges of the molding.

Tests made on the above-described pop-out windshields have shown that aforce against the windshield glass sufficient to cause it to pop outwill also cause dislodgment of the clips. The clip or adapter shownherein is specifically designed to obviate that eventuality and also toprovide a simple, inexpensive structure which is more easily assembledwith the buttons presently in use to provide a foolproof moldingretainer assembly.

Another embodiment of a windshield molding fastener is shown in FIGS. 5and 6, such being provided with resilient glass-engaging means joined tothe fastener body by a pair of spaced resilient arms. The glassengagingportion serves to assist in glass retention, and the resilient arms arecapable of sufficient flexure to accommodate varying positions of theglass surface with respect to the automobile body panel. With theseverely curved Windshields presently in vogue, it has been found thatthe position of the outside glass surface may vary as much as 0.160inch, and the instant fastener is designed to function properly in spiteof these variations.

SUMMARY An adapter for attaching a molding member to a panel having aheaded button upstanding from the panel surface including a generallyU-shaped body having panel engaging leg portions and a bight portiondefining a tab for locking engagement with a marginal edge of saidmolding and an inclined ramp disposed within the U-shape and resilientlyconnected to the body and having a distal end biased against theunderside of the button head, said ramp having a longitudinal slotopening through one edge thereof for receiving the button shank andterminating adjacent the ramp distal end in a button seat spacedlaterally from the slot axis to prevent accidental dislodgment of theadapter from the button once the two are assembled. The slot is providedwith an arcuately shaped wall portion adjacent the button seat to camthe button into engagement with the seat during assembly.

The instant invention is designed to obviate the problem of dislodgmentof molding adapters from the buttons with which they are engaged, asfrequently occurs with prior art adapters when subjected to impactforces. In addition, the invention is concerned with providing a simple,inexpensive fastener or adapter which may be more easily andconveniently assembled with the buttons than is possible with prior artstructures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of an adapterembodying the invention, with the securing button and a portion of thepanel being shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the adapter taken in the direction of the arrow2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adapter;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through an automobile panel adjacentthe windshield opening showing the windshield and its gasket and thefastener assembly for retaining the trim molding in place;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing a modifiedadapter embodying the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the adapter shown in FIG. 5.

Shown in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings is a fastener or adapter generallyindicated at 20 for securing a strip of molding or the like 22 to apanel 24. A headed button 26 is secured to the panel 24 as by weldingthe end of its shank 28 to the panel surface, thereby positioning thebutton head 30 in predetermined spaced, substantially parallel relationto the adjacent surface of the panel. In FIG. 4 the illustrated panel 24is that part of an automobile body, and includes an upstanding flangecalled a pinchweld 32 forming the lower edge of a windshield opening,the windshield glass 34 being positioned within the opening and having apreformed molded rubber gasket 36 embracing its peripheral edge.

The trim strip 22 has a reversely turned lower marginal edge 38lockingly engaged with a portion of the adapter 20 and an upper marginalbead 40 bearing against the rubber molding 36. Upon assembly of thestrip 22, it is resiliently deformed slightly so that the engagement ofthe bead 40 against the rubber 36 tensions the strip against the panelin the area indicated at 42 in FIG. 4. This in turn exerts an outward(i.e., away from pinchweld 32) force on adapter 20 by its engagementwith portion 38 of the molding 22.

The adapter 20 comprises in general a U-shaped body 44 having a pair ofspaced parallel legs 46 and 48 interconnected by a bight 50, and aninclined ramp 52 resiliently connected to ends of the legs at 54 and 56.The inner end of the body 44, i.e., that end that lies adjacent theflange or pinchweld 32, is preferably formed into an upturned flange 58which serves to give the body rigidity and also presents a smoothlyrounded edge 60 abutting the panel surface to obviate scratching of thepanel and provide easy sliding movement of the adapter during assembly.

The legs 46 and 48 of the body 44 are identical, and each has apanel-engaging portion 62 adjacent its inner end and an outer end 64spaced from the panel by an intermediate offset 66. The bridge or bightportion 50 of the body extends generally upwardly and away from the legsand is provided at its midportion with a depending tab 68 which isstruck from the plane of the body and forms a projection for lockingengagement with the end 38 of the molding strip 22.

The ramp 52 of the adapter 20 has an inclined portion 70 extending awayfrom the panel surface 24 and a distal end portion 72 which lies inspaced, generally parallel relation to the panel. A slot 74 is cut intothe ramp 52 and includes an enlarged aperture 75 opening through thebody flange 58 to accommodate the headed button 26. The slot 74 may bedisposed with its axis at a slight angle from the axis of the adapter,as shown in FIG. 1, and is sized to receive the shank 28 of button 26. Abutton seat 76 is provided at the closed end 78 of the slot, which seatis spaced laterally from the slot 74 and is provided with a rearwardlyprojecting tang or tip 80 at the entrance to the seat. Between the slot74 and the seat 76 the opening has an arcuately marginal edge 82 todirect the button 26 into the seat 76 upon assembly of the adapter onthe button.

Once the button 26 has been fixed in predetermined position on the panel24 as by welding, the adapter 20 is assembled with the button by beingslid along the panel surface from right to left as shown in FIGS. 1 and4. This may be accomplished by hand, or a suitable tool may be used. Asthe button shank 28 enters the slot 74, it will abut against slot wall82, and continued force on the clip will cause relative lateral movementthereof until the button shank abuts the end wall of the seat 76. Theadapter is shown in its free position in FIG. 3, and the upper surfaceof distal end 72 of ramp 52 lies spaced from the underside of thepanel-engaging leg portion 62 a distance greater than the distance fromthe panel surface 24 to the underside of button head 30. Therefore uponassembly of the adapter 20 onto the button 26, the adapter is tensionedagainst the panel by the resilient spring-like action of the ramp 52,urging the panel-engaging portions 62 of the body legs 46 and 48 againstthe panel surface.

When the windshield 34 with its rubber molding 36 is positioned in placeas shown in FIG. 4, the molding member or strip 22 is secured in placeby sliding the lower end thereof under the adapter 20 until the edge 38locks behind the depending tab 68 of the adapter. The upper bead 40 onthe molding member 22 is ten sioned against the rubber 36, and themember 22, by virtue of its contact with the panel 24 at 42, exerts anupward and outward force against adapter 20, thereby urging the edge 84(FIGS. 1 and 4) of the slot seat into abutment against shank 28 of thebutton 26.

Because the adapter 20 is tensioned as above described away from thepinchweld 32, in order to dislodge the adapter from the button 26, theadapter must first be shifted inwardly toward pinchweld 32 to allowbutton shank 28 to clear tang 80, and then laterally until the button isaligned with slot 74. Hence a force tending to push windshield 34 out ofits frame, i.e., from left to right as viewed in FIG. 4, will not causedislodgment of the adapter from the button. Yet there is no interferencebetween the adapter slot and the button shank, and assembly anddisassembly can be easily effected between them, assuming of course thatthe molding member 22 is not engaged with the adapter 20. While only asingle fastener assembly of adapter 20 and button 26 has been shown anddescribed, a plurality are provided spaced along the panel to retain themolding member 22.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 there is shown a modified fastener or adapter forsecuring a strip of molding 22 to a panel 24, like numerals primed beingused to designate similar parts to those shown in FIGS. 1-4. A button 26having a shank 28 welded to panel 24 and a head 30 is provided forengagement by the adapter 100, and the panel exhibits an upstandingflange or pinchweld 32, identical to that heretofore described. Thewindshield or other glass is also shown partially at 34, and itsrelative position may vary, so its outwardly facing surface may lie at102, or may be displaced to the position shown in phantom at 102. Theadapter 100 is provided with a glass-engaging portion which adapts tothe various positions that the glass may assume.

The fastener 100 is similar to fastener 20 previously described, andcomprises a generally U-shaped body 104 having a pair of spaced parallellegs 106 and 108 interconnected by a bight 110, and an inclined ramp 52'resiliently connected to the leg ends at 114 and 116 respectively. Theend of the body 104 lying adjacent flange or pinchweld 32 is preferablyformed into an upstanding flange 118 which imparts rigidity to thefastener and also presents a smoothly rounded edge 120 for engagementwith the panel surface during assembly of the fastener 100 on the stud26.-

Bight lies spaced from the panel 24 due to the intermediate offset 66'in legs 106 and 108 as above described with reference to FIGS. I4, andhas a depending tab 68' for locking engagement with a reversely bentedge 38' of strip 22, the opposite edge 122 of which is inturned toengage glass surface 102. The strip 22 in its free position is moreseverely curved in crosssection than indicated in FIG. 5, so that uponassembly with fastener 100, the strip is tensioned against the glasssurface irrespective of the glass position, as indicated at 22". Thus,with the glass 34 in place, strip edge 38' is engaged with fastenerprojection 68, urging the fastener outwardly, i.e., to the right asviewed in FIG. 5.

Intermediate legs 106 and 108, fastener 100 is provided with an inclinedramp 52', which may be of identical construction to the ramp 52 offastener 20. In FIG. 6, the ramp 52' is shown with the slot 74' and seat76' arranged oppositely to FIG. 1. However, the position could just aswell be identical with FIG. 1 if so desired, and therefore the ramp 52'and the parts thereof have been numbered using the numerals of FIG. 1primed, and a detailed description is not necessary, as reference may behad to the foregoing description of FIGS. 1-4.

Spaced outward of the legs 106 and 108 respectively are a pair of arms124 and 126, joined to body 104 at 128 and 130. Each arm has a distalend portion spaced from panel 24 by an inclined intermediate portion132. The arms are resilient and are connected at their distal ends to acrossbar 134 extending therebetween and biased against the glass surface102. The arms and crossbar are normally disposed approximately in theposition shown in phantom at 132 and 134 in FIG. 5 to accommodate thevariations in glass surface position referred to above. Preferably thecrossbar 134 is covered with a relatively soft, non-marring material 136such as plastic, rubber or the like to avoid damage to the glass surface102.

For the installation of a windshield member 34, a series of buttons 26are welded to the panel 24 spaced from the pinchweld 32 a predetermienddistance, and the windshield 34 is then positioned in the appropriateorientation adjacent pinchweld 32, and in this case the windshield isset in a mastic or adhesive such as polysulfide or the like. A fastener100 is then assembled on each of the buttons 26, preferably by the useof a special tool, the slot 74' embracing the button shank 28. Thecurved slot wall 76' cams the button into the seat 84 as the fastener isassembled over the button, locking the fastener against dislodgment.When assembled, the upper surface of ramp 52 bears against the undersideof the button head 30. The resilient fastener arms 124 and 126 flex tobear against the surface 102 of the glass member 34 even if such surfaceis out of ideal position as shown at 102', thereby retaining the glassin the automobile body opening.

With the windshield 34 positioned as shown in FIG. 5, each fastenercrossbar 134 bears against the surface 102 and assists in retaining themember 34 in place. The molding strip 22 is then installed by slidablyengaging its reversely turned edge 38 under the fastener tang orprojection 68, thereby locking the strip in place. The strip is of anoriginal shape insuring intimate contact of its upper end 122 againstthe glass surface 102, thereby urging the strip to the right as shown inFIG. 5. The engagement of strip portion 38' with fastener portion 68hence exerts an outward force (away from pinchweld 32) on the fastener100, which firmly seats the button shank 28 against edge 84 of thefastener slot to prevent dislodgment of the fastener from the button 26.

What is claimed is:

1. An adapter for retaining a member positioned with respect to asupport having a headed stud upstanding from the support, comprising abody defining a support engaging portion and an inclined ramp disposedgenerally intermediate opposite extremities of said support engagingportion and resiliently connected to said body at its proximal end withits distal end spaced from said support engaging portion, a studreceiving slot opening through the proximal end of said ramp andterminating in a stud seat portion adjacent the ramp distal end andincluding means for retaining the stud shank within said seat portionwith the distal end of the ramp bearing against the underside of thestud head, a pair of resilient arms connected to said body on oppositesides of said ramp and extending upwardly away from said suppportengaging portion and terminating in member engaging means spaced fromsaid support resiliently bearing against said member urging the same ina direction generally parallel to said support.

2. An adapter as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said memberengaging means comprises an integral portion joining said resilient armstogether and bearing against said member substantially throughout thelength of said portion.

3. An adapter as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said memberengaging means is provided with a relatively soft, non-marring surfacecontacting said member.

4. An adapter as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said resilientarms are connected to said body on opposite sides of and spaced fromrespective opposite marginal edges of said ramp.

5. An adapter as defined in claim 4 characterized in that said adapterincludes a generally U-shaped portion having resilient legs connected attheir ends to said support engaging portion and a bight having means forengaging a marginal edge of molding strip and tensioning the latteragainst said support.

6. An adapter as defined in claim 5 characterized in that said body hasan upstanding flange along one marginal edge thereof through which saidstud receiving slot opens, with the resilient legs of said U-shapedportion being joined to the body portion spaced on opposite sides ofsaid ramp, and the arms of said member engaging portion being joined tothe body portion spaced outward of said U-shaped portion legs.

7. An adapter as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said arms andlegs are parallel to each other and extend substantially perpendicularto said one marginal edge of the body.

8. An adapter as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said studseat'portion of said slot lies spaced laterally from the remainder ofthe slot to prevent longitudinal disengagement of the adapter from thestud when the stud shank is disposed within said seat portion.

1. An adapter for retaining a member positioned with respect to asupport having a headed stud upstanding from the support, comprising abody defining a support engaging portion and an inclined ramp disposedgenerally intermediate opposite extremities of said support engagingportion and resiliently connected to said body at its proximal end withits distal end spaced from said support engaging portion, a studreceiving slot opening through the proximal end of said ramp andterminating in a stud seat portion adjacent the ramp distal end andincluding means for retaining the stud shank within said seat portionwith the distal end of the ramp bearing against the underside of thestud head, a pair of resilient arms connected to said body on oppositesides of said ramp and extending upwardly away from said suppportengaging portion and terminating in member engaging means spaced fromsaid support resiliently bearing against said member urging the same ina direction generally parallel to said support.
 2. An adapter as definedin claim 1 characterized in that said member engaging means comprises anintegral portion joining said resilient arms together and bearingagainst said member substantially throughout the length of said portion.3. An adapter as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said memberengaging means is provided with a relatively soft, non-marring surfacecontacting said member.
 4. An adapter as defined in claim 1characterized in that said resilient arms are connected to said body onopposite sides of and spaced from respective opposite marginal edges ofsaid ramp.
 5. An adapter as defined in claim 4 characterized in thatsaid adapter includes a generally U-shaped portion having resilient legsconnected at their ends to said support engaging portion and a bighthaving meAns for engaging a marginal edge of molding strip andtensioning the latter against said support.
 6. An adapter as defined inclaim 5 characterized in that said body has an upstanding flange alongone marginal edge thereof through which said stud receiving slot opens,with the resilient legs of said U-shaped portion being joined to thebody portion spaced on opposite sides of said ramp, and the arms of saidmember engaging portion being joined to the body portion spaced outwardof said U-shaped portion legs.
 7. An adapter as defined in claim 6characterized in that said arms and legs are parallel to each other andextend substantially perpendicular to said one marginal edge of thebody.
 8. An adapter as defined in claim 1 characterized in that saidstud seat portion of said slot lies spaced laterally from the remainderof the slot to prevent longitudinal disengagement of the adapter fromthe stud when the stud shank is disposed within said seat portion.